Fastener for containers



June15, 1937. s. SMITH Y FASTENER FOR CONTAINERS Filed March 16, 1`954` Patented June 15, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FASTENER FOR CONTAINERS Application March 16,

16V claims.

My invention relates to fasteners for containers and has for an object to provide a fastener particularly adaptable to a circular container, open at the top, and provided with a cover rotatable With respectl to the container.

An object of the invention resides in providing a fastener adapted to be brought into fastening position through rotational movement of the cover.

An object of the invention resides in providing either the cover or the container with a fastener member having an eye and in providing the other thereof with a complemental fastener member having a circumferentially extending tongue, adapted to be directed into the eye through rotatational movement of the cover.

A feature of the invention resides in attaching the fastener member having the eye to the container and in attaching the fastener member having the tongue to the cover.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the cover with a fiange and in forming the complemental fastener member with a head issuing from said tongue and secured to said flange.

' A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the container with a hoop at the upper end thereof and in disposing said rstnamed fastener member with the eye beneath said hoop.

A still further object of the invention resides in arranging the parts so that the eye and tongue are disposed within the confines of the flange of the cover in order that the container may be rolled without causing damage to the fastener kthrough engagement thereof with the surface on which the container is rolled.

A feature of the invention resides in constructing the fastener member-having the tongue of sheet metal.

Another object of the invention resides in providing the tongue with a humpnear its free end, said hump forming a cam for directing the tongue into the eye and further providingl an abutment for preventing disengagement of the tongue from the eye.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction thereof.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container and a cover therefor, illustrating an embodiment of my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional detail View of ar portion of the structure, shown in Fig. 1 and 1934, Serial No. '715,899

taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, drawn to a larger scale.

'Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the structure shown in Fig. 2, drawn to a larger scale.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the 5 parts in altered position.

Fig. 5 is a plan sectional View of the structure shown in Fig. 3 and taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 3.

In the application of covers to containers, and particularly to containers constructed of paper, it becomes highly desirable to provide fasteners which may be readily applied by simple manipulation, and which may be disengaged whenever the occasion requires. The present invention provides a construction by means of which the fastener may be engaged through rotational movement of the cover, and which may be disengaged through a similar reverse movement.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the drawing a container I0 which 2O may be constructed of paper, or any other suitable material. The exact construction of the container proper however, does not form any particular feature of the invention. This container is illustrated as being frustro-conical in form, is constructed with a flaring body portion I I and a bottom connected to said body portion but not illustrated in the drawing. The container II) is open at the top and is provided at its free edge I2 with a hoop I3, which is secured to the same. 30 The hoop I3 may be formed of paper or any other suitable material and is securely attached to the body I I of the container through gluing or otherwise. If desired the hoop I3 may be constructed from a long strip of paper which is Woundupon 35 the body II of the container and glued or cemented to the same as the paper is applied thereto. The hoop I 3 is preferably provided with a cylindrical outer surface I4 and is made to conform at its inner surface to the shape of the body portion II of the container. The upper open end of the container I0 is closed through a cover I5, which may also be constructed of paper and which rests upon the free edge I2 of the body portion II. This cover is provided with a depending flange I6, which is adapted to t about the hoop I3 and to effect a tight closure between the body portion II and the cover I5.

My improved fastener comprises two parts, a fastener member A and a complemental fastener member B. The fastener member A has an eye I 'I and the fastener member B has a tongue I 8, which are adapted to be engaged with one another to hold the cover I5 applied to the container I0. The fastener member A may be secured to either the cover or the container and the complemental fastener B is secured to the other thereof. In the drawing the fastener member A has been illustrated as being secured to the container, while the fastener member B is secured to the cover. These parts will now be described in detail.

The fastener member A is constructed from a strap IS of sheet metal which is provided with a shank 2t. The shank 2B is adapted to be imbedded between the hoop i3 and the body portion II of container I0, and thus held attached to the container proper. The lower end of the strap I9 is formed with a number of bends 2li, 2|

and 22, which provide a lower wall 23, an upper wall 24, and a connecting wall 25. These walls form, in conjunction with one another, the eye Il previously referred to, and with which the tongue I8 cooperates. The opening through the eye I1 is designated by the reference character 26, and is bounded by the said walls and the shank 28. The construction of the eye I'I is such that the said eye lies well within the confines of the outer surface of the flange I3 of cover I5, when attached to the container, so that injury to the eye is prevented when the container is rolled on its side in the customary manner. The shank 2Q of fastener member A is so situated between the hoop I3 and the body portion Il of container I that the wall 2t of said eye abuts against the under surface 2l of the hoop I3.

The fastener member B is constructed from sheet metal which is stamped into the form illustrated. This fastener member is constructed to form the tongue I8 and has a head' 28 connected to said tongue through a connecting portion 29. The head 2S is constructed with two ears 2S and Sil. The fastener member B is secured to the flange I6 of the cover I5 upon the inner surface thereof. For this purpose the said flange is formed with two openings 3l, through which the ears 29 and 3@ may extend. After the said ears have been inserted into the openings 3I and the head 23 brought into close contact with the inner surface of the flange I3, said ears are clinched upon the flange I6 to hold the head rigidly attached to the same, as shown in Fig. 4.

The extreme end of the tongue I8 is provided with a hump 32, which is formed through bend ing of the end of the said tongue in the manner shown. By means of this hump, a cam 33 is provided at the tip of the tongue, by which the said tongue may be directed into the opening 26 in eye Il. At the same time an abutment 34 is provided, by means of which the tongue I 8 is held from disengagement froml the eye I7. The fastener member B is preferably constructed of a material having a certain degree of resiliency so that the tongue I8- may move toward and from the body of the container, being normally urged outwardly whereby the abutment 34 is held in the position shown in full lines in Fig. when the parts have been properly applied.

Although I have described but a single fastener, it can be readily comprehended that a number of fasteners may be used with each container, the said fasteners being symmetrically disposed about the circumference of the cover and rim of the container. The container shown in Fig. l. is equipped with four fasteners, two of which are visible.

The operation of the invention is as follows:

When it is desired to apply the cover, the same is placed over the open end of the container with the tongues IB out of register with the eyes Il. The cover is then pressed down until the same engages the free edge I2 of the body portion II of container IEJ, as shown in Fig. 4. The cover is then given a clockwise rotation, which causes the cams 33 to direct the tongues I8 into the openings 26 in the various eyes i'I. The connecting portions 29 of the fastener members B form stops for limiting the movement of the tongues into the eyes. When the parts have been properly engaged, the same occupy positions such as shown in Fig. 3. It can be readily comprehended that with the parts so arranged, the cover is securely fastened to the container and that disengagement of the cover can be procured only through rotational movement of the same in the opposite direction. When the parts are disposed as illustrated, the abutment 34, which is slightly beveled as shown in Fig. 5, forms another cam which is somewhat more abrupt than the cam 33 and which permits of disengaging the cover by applying considerable force to rotate the same in a counter-clockwise direction. Through the resiliency of the spring material from which the fastener member Bv is constructed, the tongue I8 is normally forced outwardly towards the outer wall 25 of eye Il. This causes the abutment 34 to engage the edge of the said wall and to normally hold the parts in assembled position, and to prevent accidental disengagement of the parts.

If it be desired to latch the cover to the container, the same may be accomplished by bending the hump 32 outwardly, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. This causes the abutment 34 to lie at right-angles with respect to the tongue, which prevents the disengagement of the tongue with the eye through rotational movement of the cover. It can be readily comprehended howu ever, that if all four of the tongues provided on the cover be simultaneously pressed inwardly through engagements with the camsv 33, that the cover can be again rotated and the same removed from the container. completely prevent removal of the coverK from the container, a seal can be applied to one or more of the tongues I8. For this purpose a hole 35 is drilled in each of the cams 33, through which the wire of the seal may be inserted.

If it is desired to` My invention is highly advantageous in that an extremely simple and practical fastener is provided, which may be easily applied to any form of circular container, and particularly to a container constructed of paper. The cover is applied or removed by simple manipulation as by rotational movement of the cover with respect to the container. Retention of -the cover in closing position is afforded through lateral engagement of the eye with the tongue and not through the spring-controlled hump at the end of the tongue. With my invention the tongues are readily directed into the eyes and similarly disengaged therefrom. By bending the tongues, the cover can be held from disengagement and by the use of a seal the cover can be locked in closing position. The eyes used with the invention may be applied tol the same in the formation of the hoops on the container when the container is constructed of paper. The fastener members are readily applied to the cover through the ears formed on the same, which can be clinched in position to securely hold the fastener members attached. When the parts are arranged as shown, the container may be rolled upon the floor or any other similar surface in the 'customary fastener."

Changes in the specific form of my invention as hereindescribed'may be made within the scope of ywhat fis "claimed, Without departing fror'nthe spirit of my invention. Having described'fmyjinvention, what I claim as new and desire'to protect by Letters Patent j 41.']n combination, a circular container open at the top, a cover therefor; one thereof having an eye and the other having a circumferentially 'extending ftongue,v saidy tongue being vengageable W'ith'sa'id eye through rotational movement of the cover ywith respect to the` container and latchingv means on said tongue for holding the tongue in 'engagement'with said eye. r

' 2. Incombinaticn, a circulary container, open atlthe top, va hoop encircling the upper end of the container, an eye attached to the container below the hoop, said eye having an opening extending in the same direction 'as the hoop, a cover for the container and a tongue on said cover extending parallel with* said hoop and be- Y ing adapted to be directed into said eye through movement lof the part of the cover having the tongue lin thesame directionas the hoop.

3.#I'n` combination, a circular container, open at the top, ahoop encircling the upper end of thecontainer, an eye attached to the container below the hoop, said eye having an opening extending in the same direction as the hoop, a cover for the container, a flange on said cover overlying said hoop, a member having a head secured to said flange upon the inner surface thereof, a tongue issuing from said head and extending in the same direction as the flange, said tongue being adapted to be directed into said eye through rotational movement of the cover relative to the container.

4. In combination, a circular container, open at the top, a cover therefor, one thereof having an eye and the other thereof having a circumferentially extending tongue formed with a hump near one end, providing a cam for directing the tongue into said eye upon rotational movement of the cover with respect to the container, and further forming an abutment for holding the tongue in engagement with the eye.

5. In combination. a circular container, open at the top, a cover therefor, one thereof having an eye and the other thereof having a circumferentially extending tongue, said tongue being constructed of sheet-metal, the end of said tongue being bent to form a hump, providing a cam for directing the tongue into said eye and an abutment for holding the tongue in engagement with said eye.

6. In combination. a circular container, open at the top, a cover therefor, one thereof having an eye and the other thereof having a circumferentially extending tongue, said tongue being constructed of sheet metal, the end o-f said tongue being bent to form a hump, providing a cam for directing the tongue into said eye and an abutment for holding the tongue in engagement with said eye, the extreme end of said tongue having an opening therein disposed out-k wardly of said hump through which a member may be inserted to latch the tongue from movement with respect to the eye.

'7. In combination, a circular container open at the top, a at hoop encircling the upper end of the body of said container and attached thereto, a strap of metal having a shank lodged manner, withoutinjuring the between said hoop and body and extending below said hoop, said strap being bent to form a part extending substantially at right-angles to said shank, a cover for the container, and means on said cover for engagement with the underside of said last-named part for holding the cover in place upon the container.

8. In combination, a circular container open at the top', a flat hoop encircling the upper end of the body of said container and attached thereto, a strap of metal having a shank lodged between said hoop and body and extending belouT said hoo-p, said strap being bent back upon itself to `form yan eye, said eye being disposed in the bightiformed by said hoop and body, a cover for said container, and means on said cover engaging said eye to hold the cover in place.

9. In combination, a circular container open at the top, a flat hoop encircling the upper end of the body of said container and attached thereto, a strap of metal having a shank lodged between said hoop and body and extending below said hoop, said strap being bent to form a part extending lsubstantially at right-angles to said shank from the lowermost portion thereof, another part extending upwardly from said firstnamed part and a third part extending inwardly from said second-named part and toward said shank, a cover for said container, and means on said cover engaging said last-named part to hold the cover in place.

l0. In combination, a circular container open at the top, a fiat hoop encircling the upper end of the body of said container and attached thereto, a strap of metal having a shank lodged between said hoop and body and extending below said hoop, said strap being bent to form a part extending substantially at right-angles to said shank from the lowermost portion thereof, another part extending upwardly from said firstnamed part and a third part extending inwardly from Said second-named part and toward said shank, a cover for said container, means on said cover adapted to engage said last-named part upon rotation of the cover to restrain longitudinal movement of the cover, and means on the cover engaging said second-named part for restraining rotational movement of the cover.

11. In combination, a circular container open at the top, a flat hoop encircling the upper end of the body of said container and attached thereto, a strap of metal having a shank lodged between said hoop and body and extending below said hoop, said strap being bent to form a part extending substantially at right-angles tosaid shank from the lowermost portion thereof, another part extending upwardly from said firstnamed part and a third part extending inwardly from said second-named part and toward said shank, a cover for said container, a tongue on. said cover adapted to engage said last-named part upon rotation of the cover and a shoulder on said tongue adapted to engage said secondnamed part for restraining rotational movement of the cover.

l2. In combination, a circular container open at the top, a cover for the container having a flange encircling the upper rim of the container, a fastener member constructed of sheet metal and having a head disposed upon the interior of the iiange, means on said head for engagement with the flange to hold the same attached to the cover, a tongue issuing from said head, and means on said container engaging said tongue to hold the cover in place.

Orl

I3. In combination, a circular container open at the top, a flat hoop encircling the upper end of the body of said container and attached thereto, a strap of metal having a shank lodged between said hoop and body and extending below said hoop, said strap being bent to form a part extending substantially at right-angles to said shank, a cover for the container, a flange on said cover encircling said hoop, a fastener member constructed of sheet metal and having a head disposed upon the interior of the ange, means on said head for engagement with the ange to hold the same attached thereto, and a tongue issuing from said head and engaging said part of the strap to hold the cover attached to the container.

14. In combination, a circular container open at the top, a cover for the container having a iiange encircling the upper rim of the container, a fastener member constructed of sheet metal and having a head disposed upon the interior of the flange, ears on said head extending through said ange for holding said head attached to the ange, a tongue issuing from said head, and means on said container` engaging said tongue to hold the cover in` place.

l5. In combination, a circular container open at the top, a hoop encircling the upper end of said container, an eye attached to said container below said hoop and being substantially confined to the space between the outer surface of the hoop 'and container, said eye having an opening extending in the same direction as the hoop, a cover for the container and a tongue on said cover extending parallel with said hoop and being adapted to be directed into said eye 'through movement of the part of the cover having the tongue in the same direction as the hoop.

16. In combination, a circular container open at the top, a flat hoop encircling the upper end of the body of said container and attached thereto, a fastener member comprising a strap of metal having a shank lodged between said hoop and body and extending below said hoop, said strap being bent to form a part extending substantially parallel to said shank and another part issuing from said first-named part and disposed at substantially right-angles to said shank, a cover for the container rotatable relative thereto, a complemental fastener member carried by said cover and including movable means movable relative to the cover, and a member carried by said movable means for latching engagement with said rst-named part of said strap, said member moving into and out of engagement therewith upon movement of said movable means, said second-named part further engaging said tongue and resisting removal of the closure from the container.

SWAN SMITH. 

